Research Scientist H-1B Salary in La Jolla, CA
Employers have filed 312 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Research Scientist positions in La Jolla, CA, with a median salary of $76,918. That's 19% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations, and 2% higher than the La Jolla, CA all-roles H-1B median of $75,300. Research Scientist ranks #2 among H-1B job titles filed from La Jolla, CA.
Headline numbers for Research Scientist H-1B roles in La Jolla, CA, sourced from certified DOL Labor Condition Applications. This pair ranks #895 by filing volume out of the 6,873 job × city combinations we track — in the top quartile for Research Scientist hiring.
Research Scientist H-1B Salary Range in La Jolla, CA
The pay distribution for this role spans $31,100 from the 10th to 90th percentile. Half of all offers fall between $68,600 and $83,000, the interquartile range where most experienced Research Scientists land. The median of $76,918 sits 19% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median.
- 10th percentile
- $64,000
- 25th percentile
- $68,600
- Median
- $76,918
- 75th percentile
- $83,000
- 90th percentile
- $95,100
Top Employers Hiring Research Scientists in La Jolla, CA
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for Research Scientist in La Jolla, CA, with 264 certified filings (85% of local Research Scientist H-1B filings) at a median salary of $76,400. Among the top sponsors, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ pays the highest median at $85,900. The pay spread across top employers is 25%, so which employer you work for materially affects your offer.
Pay spread among top employers: 25% ($68,786 at THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE to $85,900 at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ)
| Employer | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO | 264 | $76,400 |
| THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 17 | $68,786 |
| THE SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES | 10 | $80,000 |
| SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE | 4 | $82,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ | 3 | $85,900 |
How This Salary Compares
Two benchmarks worth knowing. The first is the national Research Scientist H-1B median across every U.S. location — a measure of how local cost-of-living and market demand shift pay up or down. The second is the all-roles H-1B median in La Jolla, CA, which tells you whether Research Scientist pays above or below the typical H-1B job in this metro.
Research Scientist H-1B Salaries in Other Cities
The other top metros where Research Scientist is an active H-1B role. New York, NY has the most filings (1,699) outside La Jolla, CA. The highest median among these is Menlo Park, CA at $182,000. Click any city below for local salary percentiles and top sponsoring employers.
| City | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 1,699 | $100,000 |
| Cambridge, MA | 1,264 | $108,000 |
| Menlo Park, CA | 1,206 | $182,000 |
| Redmond, WA | 1,013 | $149,867 |
| Bellevue, WA | 842 | $161,378 |
| Mountain View, CA | 756 | $181,000 |
| Boston, MA | 658 | $88,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 636 | $160,000 |
| Stanford, CA | 591 | $80,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 577 | $156,562 |
Other H-1B Jobs in La Jolla, CA
The most common H-1B specialty occupations filed from La Jolla, CA, ranked by certified filing volume. Research Associate is the busiest non-Research Scientist role here (333 filings). The highest-paying role on this list is Assistant Professor at a median of $115,000.
| Job Title | Filings | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Associate | 333 | $65,292 |
| Principal Research Associate | 152 | $63,386 |
| Associate Research Associate | 141 | $64,480 |
| Assistant Professor | 121 | $115,000 |
| Staff Research Scientist | 119 | $76,877 |
| Staff Research Associate | 116 | $71,600 |
Key Insights
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist in La Jolla, CA is $76,918, based on 312 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. This is 19% lower than the national Research Scientist H-1B median of $94,765 across all U.S. locations. It is also 2% higher than the overall H-1B median of $75,300 in La Jolla, CA across all job titles.
Salaries span a $31,100 range from the 10th percentile ($64,000) to the 90th percentile ($95,100). The middle 50% of workers earn between $68,600 and $83,000, reflecting variation in experience, specific technical skills, and employer tier.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO is the largest H-1B sponsor for this role in La Jolla, CA, with 264 certified filings at a median salary of $76,400. Among the top employers, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ pays the highest median at $85,900. The pay spread across top employers is 25%, so which employer you work for meaningfully affects your offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions people ask about Research Scientist H-1B roles in La Jolla, CA, answered directly from 312 certified Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Every answer below cites the specific data point it's based on.
What is the average Research Scientist salary in La Jolla, CA?
The median H-1B salary for Research Scientist positions in La Jolla, CA is $76,918, based on 312 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.
- 10th percentile
- $64,000
- 25th percentile
- $68,600
- Median
- $76,918
- 75th percentile
- $83,000
- 90th percentile
- $95,100
The salary distribution for Research Scientist roles in La Jolla, CA shows considerable range: the 10th percentile earns $64,000, while the 90th percentile earns $95,100. This $31,100 spread reflects differences in experience levels, specific technical skills, company size, and seniority.
Compared to the national H-1B median of $130,541, Research Scientist salaries in La Jolla, CA are 41% lower, reflecting the local cost of living and market demand for this role.
Which companies hire Research Scientists in La Jolla, CA?
The top employers sponsoring H-1B visas for Research Scientist positions in La Jolla, CA are:
These employers represent the largest H-1B sponsors for Research Scientist roles specifically in La Jolla, CA. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO leads with 264 filings at a median salary of $76,400. Compensation varies by employer, ranging from $68,786 to $85,900.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in La Jolla, CA?
To obtain an H-1B visa as a Research Scientist in La Jolla, CA, you'll need a sponsoring employer. The process involves several steps:
- Secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa
- The employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
- Once the LCA is certified, the employer files an H-1B petition with USCIS
- If selected in the H-1B lottery (if applicable) and approved, you can begin work
Based on our data, 312 H-1B positions for Research Scientists in La Jolla, CA have been certified, indicating strong demand for this role. The top sponsors listed above have a track record of successful H-1B sponsorship for this position.